Back To School- Which States Have Reopened Educational Institutes? – Education News
After a prolonged period of school closures that confined the kids across the nation to the four walls of their homes, many state governments and union territory administrators have decided to reopen educational institutes after observing a dip in the number of COVID-19 cases.
The state governments have released SOPs and schools have been directed to strictly adhere to the guidelines and assure that COVID appropriate behaviour is maintained at all times. Here’s a look at the states that have taken the much needed decision to reopen schools:
Delhi
Schools in Delhi reopened for classes 9-12 from the 7th of February (Monday) in the wake of a decline in the COVID-19 cases in the national capital. On the 4th of February, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had decided to reopen higher education institutions and coaching centers along with schools for classes 9-12 from February 7. It was also decided to resume classes from nursery to class 8 from February 14.
Bihar
Schools in Bihar resumed offline classes for standards 9 to 12 with full capacity on 7th of February after a dip in the COVID-19 cases was recorded in the state. Physical classes resumed with 50 per cent attendance up to Class 8 and strict adherence to COVID-19 standard operating guidelines issued by the State Disaster Management Authority in all schools of the state. Some schools in Patna recorded low attendance, while others witnessed good turnout of the attendance of students on Monday. Teachers, however, said the attendance of students in both private and government schools was low but expected it to pick up in the coming days.
Gujarat
The Gujarat government also announced the reopening of schools for classes 1 to 9 from February 7. However, a circular issued by the education department said that online teaching will also continue and students can choose between the two systems. Offline or in-person education had been suspended for these classes after the infections began to increase rapidly from December 2021.
Uttar Pradesh
As per an order issued by additional chief secretary (Home) Awanish K Awasthi, the schools for classes 9 to 12 and all degree colleges in Uttar Pradesh were permitted to conducted physical classes from February 7. The order stated that all COVID SOPs such as social distancing and wearing of face masks need to be followed at the time of reopening of physical classes in educational institutions.
Kerala
The Kerala government, in addition to relaxing Covid-19 norms in the state, also ordered the reopen educational institutes from Monday (February 7). The decision was taken during the core committee meeting headed by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. “Classes in colleges and higher secondary will re-open from February 7 and Class 1 to 9 will be functional from February 14,” said the state government order.
West Bengal
West Bengal resumed offline classes for standards 8-12 on February 3, after a month-long suspension due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the state. The state government has launched an open-air classroom programme called Paray Shikshalaya (neighbourhood schools) for primary and pre-primary students on February 7, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With COVID-19 restrictions being lifted across India, it is indeed promising to see the centre and states focus on the way forward for reopening schools.
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